Automatic controller for wagon-dumps.



PATENTBD MAY 5, 1908. L. J. MoMILLIN.

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER FOR WAGON DUMPS APPLIOATION FILED APR.'25,1907.

THE NORRIS PS7ERS 00., wAsnmm-au, n. c.

UNITE STATES PA N FI IC AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER FOR WAGON-DUMPS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS J. JMChTILLIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticControllers for IVagon-Dumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic controller for wagon dumps whichare employed around places where it is desired to unload wagons withdespatch; and the object of the invention is to provide the pivotallymounted platform upon which the wagon stands with a device which willautomatically control the movement of said platform when it is desiredto dump the contents from the wagon bed.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary detail viewin vertical section of a wagon dumping device, showing my invention inoperating position. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail central sectionalview, on an enlarged scale, of the piston-head valve employed in thecontrolling device.

In the drawings, 1 constitutes the main floor which surrounds theswinging platform 2 which is pivotally mounted at 3. WVhen the platform2 occupies normal position its surface stands flush with the top of thefloor 1 so that the approach to said platform is free from obstruction.The opening in the floor 1, which is occupied by the platform 2, isprovided at one end with a transversely extending beam 6 which forms arest to support the joist of the platform 2 and limits the downwardmovement of the latter. The end of the platform which rises above thefloor 1 during the operation of dumping the contents from the wagon bedis provided with a guard 10 which will prevent the possibility of anyarticle of a foreign nature to be accidentally admitted so as tointerfere with the operation of the platform; the guard also may preventaccident to persons or employees that are required to be present for theoperation of the platform.

One end of the platform 2 is provided with a bearing 12 to which thepiston rod 14 is pivotally secured. The piston rod 14, as shown in Fig.2, is provided with a yoke 15 which forms the upper skeleton portion ofa piston-head which operates within the hol- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed April 25, 1907.

Patented May 5, 1908.

Serial No. 370,301.

low casing or cylinder 16, which head will be hereinafter described. Thecylinderat each end is provided with exteriorly located threads toreceive the caps 17 and 18, and the cap 18 is rovided with a lug 19 bywhich it is pivotal y attached to the bearing plate 20 secured to thebeam 21 which is properlyanchored in the ground. The cap 17 is providedwith the old and well known stuffing box 25, so that as the piston rod14 is moved in and out of the cylinder 16 the oil or other liquidemployed within said cylinder is prevented from escapmg.

The piston-rod 14 is provided with the usual piston-head operatingwithin the cylinder 16 and comprises a skeleton yoke 15 to which thepiston rod 14 is attached and by which means the head is operated. Thelower end of the yoke is provided with an inwardly extending annularshoulder 30, and the inner face of said shoulder is provided with screwthreads to receive the inverted cup 31 of the head. In order to make atight fit and thus prevent the oil or other liquid from passing aroundthe outer periphery of the piston-head a rubber gasket 32 is insertedbetween the lower edge of the yoke 15 and the cup 31 before the partsare assembled. A movable valve 35 which controls the passage of theliquid consists of a circular disk which normally rests on the upperedge of the cup 31, and is provided with an integrally formed yoke 36 toprovide a seat for a needle valve 37. This valve has a conical top andre isters with a conically shaped aperture 38 Iocated in the disk 35.When the platform 2 is operated to dump the contents from the wagon thepiston-head moves upwardly within the cylinder 16, and as the liquidabove the valve must pass through the aperture 38 to reach the bottom ofthe cylinder it will be seen that the movement of the platform may bevaried by increasing or decreasing the flow through the aperture 38, andthis is accomplished by turning the needle valve 37 so as to cause it tobe moved toward or from the aperture 38. On the return movement of thepiston-head and platform, when the load is lighter, the valve 35 will beraised from its seat and permit the liquid or air to pass from the upperportion of the cylinder 16 and thus permit the iston head to settle tothe bottom of the cy inder. When my device is first installed it is cusitomary to insert the piston-head so it will platform 2 is controlled.The movement of the stand near the bottom of the cylinder 16 while thecap 18 is still removed, and then by inverting the said cylinder thesame is then entirely filled with oil or other liquid desired and thecap 18 is then screwed into position. After the piston-head has beenplaced into operating position and the platform 2 is elevated thewithdrawal of the piston rod 14 will leave suflicient room within thecylinder so as to insure the proper operation of the valve 35.

Having thus fully described my said inven tion, what I desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

An automatic controller for wagon dumps comprising a stationaryplatform, a pivotally mounted platform arranged within said stationaryplatform, a guard secured to that end of the pivotally mounted platformwhich is susceptible of being elevated, a cylinder ivotally mountedbeneath the movable'plPatform, a piston rod pivotally engaging themovable platform and extending within the cylinder, a piston-headsecured to the piston rod and working within the cylinder, a valvewithin the piston-head ada ted to impede the flow of liquid, and a needevalve adapted to regulate the flow of liquid through the antecedentlymentioned valve.

In witness whereof, I, have hereunto set my hand and seal atIndianapolis, Indiana, this, 15th day of April, A. D. one thousand ninehundred and seven.

LOUIS J. MOMILLIN.

